Ottawa Canada
Ottawa Canada Tartan Collection
Celebrate Ottawa with a city district tartan — the capital on its river, where the Rideau Canal freezes into the world's longest skating rink and Parliament stands on the bluff above the water.
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About the Ottawa Tartan
The Ottawa tartan is a district tartan — it belongs to the city rather than to any one family, so anyone who lives there, was born there or has a connection to the capital may wear it, whatever their surname.
District and civic tartans of this kind have become a familiar part of Canadian life, and few cities suit one better: Ottawa is where Tartan Day is marked each April on Parliament Hill, and where pipe bands play at national ceremonies through the year.
Ottawa Tartan Pattern and Colours
This collection draws on warm golds and greens with a deep blue accent — the gold of maples along the canal in autumn and of the stone of the Parliament buildings, the green of the capital's parks and greenbelt, and the blue of the Ottawa and Rideau rivers.
Ottawa Heritage
Ottawa began as Bytown, a rough construction camp at the northern end of the Rideau Canal, cut through from Lake Ontario in the 1820s and 1830s under Colonel John By. The workforce was largely Irish and French Canadian, with Scottish engineers and contractors among them, and the timber trade down the Ottawa River built the town that followed.
Queen Victoria chose it as the capital in 1857, a compromise between the rival cities of the Canadas, and the Parliament buildings rose on the bluff above the river. Today the canal freezes each winter into one of the longest skating surfaces in the world, the tulips given by the Netherlands bloom each spring, and the city sits astride the boundary of English and French Canada.
Who Is This Collection For?
This collection is made for Ottawa families at home and away, capital region households, public servants and parliamentarians, pipe band players and anyone who wants a tartan that names their own city.
- ✓ Ottawa and capital region families
- ✓ Bytown and Rideau Canal heritage
- ✓ Parliament Hill and civic occasions
- ✓ Pipe bands and Tartan Day
- ✓ Canadian heritage gifts
- ✓ Autumn gold and green style
How to Wear Ottawa Tartan
Ottawa tartan works well across caps, shirts, hoodies, scarves, ties, jackets, blankets and keepsake gifts. Its warm autumn palette is easy to pair for everyday wear, civic events and family gatherings.
Ottawa Tartan FAQ
Quick answers about the Ottawa tartan, who may wear it and what the city is known for.
Is the Ottawa tartan a clan tartan?
No — it is a city district tartan, so anyone with an Ottawa connection may wear it.
What was Bytown?
The construction settlement at the northern end of the Rideau Canal, named for Colonel John By, which grew into Ottawa.
When did Ottawa become the capital?
Queen Victoria chose it in 1857, as a compromise between the rival cities of the Canadas.
What is the Rideau Canal known for?
It links Lake Ontario to the Ottawa River, and in winter freezes into one of the longest skating surfaces in the world.
Is Tartan Day marked in Ottawa?
Yes — National Tartan Day on 6 April is marked in the capital, with pipe bands and events on and around Parliament Hill.
Who can wear the Ottawa tartan?
Anyone with roots in or affection for the city — it belongs to the place, not to a family.
Wear the Ottawa Tartan
Discover Ottawa tartan clothing, accessories and gifts — autumn gold along the canal and the blue of the capital's rivers.
View Ottawa Tartan Clothing